German cars have a reputation for excellent engineering and reliability. When we see a fifteen-year-old VW Passat, it usually has the original car key and ignition lock. Unfortunately, the newer car keys and locks from VW are not so reliable. We’re starting to see a new fault, and your VW car key won’t turn in the lock, so you can’t drive it. This problem is showing up on cars from 2009 onwards and we’ve seen it up to 2013 models.
Why won’t my VW car key won’t turn in the lock?
It helps to know just a little bit information about locks and keys. The ignition lock on your VW is simple.
Ignition lock and key
It’s a small lock, with lots of pieces that move up and down, called tumblers. When the correct key is put into the lock, the tumblers line up and then the key can be turned, simple.
The lock must be held in place, and the big piece of aluminium that does this is called the lock housing. As well as holding the ignition lock in place, it also has electric wires attached to it, and the steering lock. So, the lock is a very simple thing, whereas the lock housing is more complicated and has many functions. Unfortunately, when your VW car key won’t turn in the lock, it’s not obvious which problem you have. It could be the VW lock that’s faulty, or it could be the lock housing.
What do I do about my VW lock problem?
When your VW car key won’t turn in the lock, the first thing to do is to find out whether you have a lock problem, a lock housing problem, or both. Most independent garages will follow the guidelines and simply order both parts.
This will solve your problem but is the most expensive solution. For a start, the lock will need to be ordered in, and takes 10-14 days to arrive from Germany. However, the lock housings are available next day. So, if you have a low mileage car and your car lock is ok, you may just need a new lock housing. This would cut your parts bill in half and you could be mobile in a couple of days, instead of two weeks!
How do I test to see if I need a new ignition lock?
This isn’t easy. The only way you’ll know is to take the ignition lock out of the lock housing. To do this you’ll need to remove the plastic housing that covers up the lock housing. This can be a bit of an effort with some VW cars.
Once you can get to the lock, you then need to remove it from the housing. This involves turning the lock to the first position and poking a piece if wire into the lock release hole. It’s not simple and you’ll probably find you’ll want a mechanic to do this. Once you get the lock out, carry out the following fault finding.
How do I know if I need a new ignition lock?
When you have your lock out of the car, you need to put your VW car key into the lock and test it. Does the key turn smoothly in the lock? Or, is it notchy and feel like there is some resistance? If the lock turns smoothly, great news, you probably just need the lock housing. These are available from VW or TPS the next day and cost between £90 and £150 plus VAT. If you turn the lock and it grinds, or there is any resistance, you need a new lock and a new housing.
How do I know if I need a new VW Lock housing?
We recommend that the very least you should do is replace the lock housing.
Ignition lock housing with lock removed
We’re seeing 2-3 cars every month that are suffering with lock and lock housing problems. The lock housing is normally the faulty part, so it needs to be changed.
Do I need a new VW Car key as well?
The new style of VW car key is terrible quality. Since 2009 they changed the design and they have a problem with the blades becoming loose and snapping away from the key. However, unless you have this problem, we would say that the key will be ok. Even if the key blade is worn, (usually caused by turning the lock when jammed) you’ll just need a new blade, and not a complete key.
If you order the parts from VW or TPS to your VIN number, then your old car key will fit the replacement lock. This means you can still use your old WW car key, saving you the cost of a new key and programming.
The unfortunate thing is because the lock and housing become stiff to turn, this causes the key damage at the hinge. Take a look at this article from last year.
Can I fit my own car lock and lock housing?
We think this is a tricky job. It’s not a weekend DIY project. The lock housing has lots of things attached to it and is held on the car with security bolts. These need to be removed with a hammer and punch, which isn’t that easy. Next, there are lots of things attached to the housing, and these need to be carefully removed.
The new lock housing comes with a warning. You can’t turn the mechanism without the lock in place. What we mean is, don’t mess about with the new lock housing, until you have a lock to put into it. If you do turn the lock housing, it will be scrap and you’ll need a new one! For some reason VW have designed the housing so that if it is tampered with, it locks up and cannot be used. This is good if someone is trying to steal the car, but not much used if your trying to fix it!
Should I try to fix the VW lock and housing myself?
As we’ve said, this is quite an involved job. If you’re confident with cars and tools, you’ll probably have no bother. However, we believe that if there’s any doubt, leave it to the garage. We hope this helps!
I have recently bought a 2013 VW transporter T5 Topaz camper. The ignition key will not release without a struggle – long or short. I am still just within the warranty. Will it get worse? What should I do? Many thanks.
Hi Gillian. These are terrible keys. When you say it won’t release, do you mean you can’t get the key out of the lock when it is off?
I have a VW transporter circa 2011 and find it hard to get the key out from the lock . Any ideas ?
Hi Anthony, that’s odd.I would recommend getting someone local to look at it
Key wont turn VW golf
Hi Peter, what year of Golf is it please?
Hi. We have a 56 plate golf and the ignition key is stuck inside, wont turn at all and cant get it out. Any ideas please?
Hi Sarah. Is the ignition on, or off? Is it at automatic gearbox?
we have a vw crafter tipper and the central locking isnt working. the keys isnt zapping or turning in the lock.
someone has also removed the window switches.
lc59 cwk
is this a common problem or can some one advise me the best thing to do
Hi Clare, I’m really not sure what’s wrong. Crafter’s are a bit of a nightmare as far as keys are concerned, we struggleto programme the central locking on these sometimes. I’d take it to a local Auto Electrician or VW expert
I ran into this problem with my 2010 Golf (key won’t turn in the ignition), and the dealership ended up replacing the steering column lock. So unless they are one in the same?, it wasn’t the ignition lock in this case…Yet another possibility to consider
Hi Matt
Both the ignition lock and the housing cause problems. Sudden failiure is normally the lock housing, whereas a lock that slowly gets more difficult to turn is probably the lock itself
VW golf plus TDI 2009 key won’t turn to start the car, AA home rescue said the key is not working and the wheels locked, so have to tow to a VW service centre.
any suggestion to solve this problem
Hi
Most probably the lock or housing needs replacing. a mobile Auto Locksmith may be able to help without the wait from VW. I’m told some of the ignitions are on a 1-2 month wait!
There seems to be a significant supply issue with the VW factury at the moment. My ignition lock failed on January 12th. Replacement part ordered through TPS still hasnt arrived and VW Customer Care telling me they cannot even provide an estimated delivery time due to the number of back orders they are having to deal with. My car has now been off the road for two months with this.
Hi George, yes there is a problem for sure. Have you paid for it?
Hi Steve, no i haven’t paid. But no idea whether i have any options but to wait indefinitely (or give up and buy another car!!)
Well these are available from your local Auto Locksmith, have you called around locally?
No, I didn’t know that? As to cut the new lock to my existing keys (had to provide my car’s VIN), i thought the part had to come from VW or TPS?
My 2005 Volkswagen Rabbit have the same locking up issue where we couldn’t turn the key. We bought a new key and cylinder from Amazon and replaced it and the security code is coming on and not allowing us to turn the car on. Car tries to start but then the security shut it down. It came with the whole assembly but we only changed out the ignition. Is there more we have to do to bypass a security issue?
Hello Richard
Inside the key is a chip that is matched to the car. Is your original key a flip key with buttons? Or is it a basic key?
2018 Golf MK7.5. The ignition key is stiff to turn. Is it likely to be the lock, housing or both? Many thanks
I have vw caddy 2009, im having it towed to a vw service centre as my key wont turn in the ignition. Would you have some idea of the cost for this to be don
Hi Colleen, if you were local to us we’d replace the lock, the housing and key blade. Approx cost is £330
Hi Steve,
I have a 2008 VW Golf, the key is stuck in the on position – can turn it forward still (nothing happens) but not back. Deliberately stalled the car to stop the engine & disconnected the battery until i can get someone out to it. Steering wheel lock not on and moves freely. Would you be able to give an idea of what the issue is and how much it will cost to fix? Many thanks
Hi Gemma
It needs a new lock housing and possibly a lock. Costs around £350 I expect from a garage, or Auto Locksmith, lots more from the dealer
Thanks for this article – a few days ago the steering lock wouldn’t go on, and now this morning the steering lock has started working again, but I can’t turn the key in the ignition at all.
Any ideas? It’s a 2004 golf TDI to give you an idea of age.
Morning Sophie, I expect you need the lock and housing changed.